With Ryan's involvement, the Weasleys' vision became a reality much faster. Ryan had already envisioned a future where a large number of Galleons would be flying into his pockets.
In the final match, Gryffindor, riding high on two consecutive victories, once again defeated Ravenclaw by a significant margin. After several years, they finally won the Academy Cup again.
At the celebration party in the common room that night, Ryan and Hermione couldn't squeeze into the crowd surrounding Harry Potter. Instead, they found a quiet corner to drink pumpkin juice and exchange thoughts on ancient runes.
Ginny approached them, looking noticeably nervous.
"Harry won the championship today. Why don't you go over and congratulate him?" Hermione teased. Everyone was well aware of Ginny's deep admiration for Harry.
"I have something to ask you guys," Ginny whispered, looking embarrassed.
"What is it? If we know the answer, we'll definitely help," Hermione said sincerely.
Ginny opened her mouth but hesitated. Ryan sensed her nervousness and reassured her, "Don't worry, we won't tell anyone. You should know from our classmates that Hermione and I aren't the type to spread secrets."
The encouragement worked. Ginny took a deep breath and confessed, "I... like Harry. How can I make him notice me?"
Ryan, in the middle of taking a sip of pumpkin juice, nearly choked. He hadn't expected Ginny to ask about romance. Having been single for two lifetimes, this was unfamiliar territory for him.
Ginny likely sought their advice because of the informal study group they had held throughout the semester. Since Ryan and Hermione were its most active members, Ginny probably viewed them as reliable figures. Moreover, both of them had good relationships with Harry.
Before Ryan could gather his thoughts, Hermione had already begun advising Ginny, drawing from books on the subject. Ginny, despite her lack of experience, nodded along attentively.
Ryan eventually added, "Harry isn't as emotionally mature as you. If you confess directly, you might scare him. Instead, focus on improving yourself and getting along with him naturally. One day, he'll realize your feelings."
After this brief counseling session, they continued celebrating until Professor McGonagall arrived and ordered everyone to bed.
That night, just as Ryan was about to fall asleep, he received a notification—a new customer had arrived at the grocery store. With a sigh, he pulled on a cape over his pajamas and entered the store.
Upon arrival, he was shocked to find a woman in her twenties lying on the ground. She was pale, barely breathing, with a massive wound on her neck. Her body was covered in hoarfrost, as if she had been frozen.
"Was she bitten by a Frost Dragon? Is she still alive?" Ryan thought, startled.
He quickly used a life magic spell for soul detection. The woman's soul was still intact, but it was dissipating rapidly—she was on the verge of death.
Panic surged through Ryan. He had never faced such a situation before. Thankfully, he still had many potions left from his battle against the basilisk, now stocked in the store. Without hesitation, he grabbed a bottle of white fresh essence and a healing potion.
He sprinkled the essence on the woman's wound before helping her drink the potion. Then, raising his wand, he began chanting an ancient spell: Maintaining the Soul. He felt his magic pour into his wand and then into the woman's body.
For nearly ten minutes, Ryan maintained the spell, exhaustion creeping in. Finally, the woman's soul stabilized, and her vital signs improved. He let out a deep breath of relief. His training under Madam Pomfrey had paid off; otherwise, she might not have survived.
After dressing her wound with a special bandage, Ryan noticed her thin blue clothing. Concerned about hypothermia, especially after such significant blood loss, he used a levitation spell to lift her and wrapped her in a warm blanket.
With her condition stabilized, Ryan pondered his next move. The grocery store wasn't suitable for long-term care, and with her soul still weak, it was best to keep her unconscious.
After some thought, he decided to send her to the world of Plants vs. Zombies. A quick calculation revealed it would only cost two offset points to transport her there—an indication that she wasn't particularly important in her original world.
This realization disappointed Ryan; a low offset meant minimal profit. Still, he prioritized saving lives over earnings. He sent the woman to a hospital in Dave's new fort, asking the doctors there to care for her.
Unlike his last hurried visit, Ryan now had the chance to observe the fort's development.
The fortress was nearly complete, and vast plant gardens surrounded it. Many people moved in and out, making the area livelier than before. It seemed that after securing a stronghold, scattered survivors had gathered there. Kenway's maritime expeditions had also brought in refugees from nearby islands.
Despite their hardships, the people here looked healthier. Many had rough skin from years of struggle, their clothes either patched or made of animal hides. Yet, their complexions were rosy, a sign that life had improved. Most importantly, they now carried a sense of hope.
Currently, due to limited population, they could only control the small seaside plain near the fortress. Yet, Ryan saw in them the potential for humanity's resurgence.
He reflected on how different this world was from his own. Unlike Britain, where magic was structured and institutions like Hogwarts provided a stable foundation, this world was chaotic. Survival depended on ingenuity, alliances, and the ability to harness supernatural forces.
As he walked through the fort, Ryan considered ways to assist them further. Perhaps he could introduce new magical techniques or trade supplies from his store. The people here needed more than just protection—they needed knowledge to build a sustainable future.
Lost in thought, Ryan eventually decided to return. He had much to do, and tomorrow would bring new challenges.
As he stepped through the portal back to Hogwarts, he resolved to keep a closer eye on this world. After all, the fate of its people was now intertwined with his own.
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